In Khuzdar, journalist Mohammad Siddiq Mengal, who served as the president of the Khuzdar Press Club, was among three individuals killed on Friday when a remote-controlled bomb targeted his vehicle, as reported by police to Geo News.
The explosion also resulted in at least eight people sustaining injuries, with two of them later succumbing to their wounds, bringing the death toll to three, according to the station house officer. The injured were rushed to various hospitals for treatment.
The remote-controlled blast occurred on Sultan Ibrahim Khan Road along the National Highway, with the journalist’s vehicle being the primary target as he traveled from his home to the university.
This isn’t the first time Mengal has faced such a threat, having survived an assassination attempt a few months earlier, as per police reports.
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau condemned the Khuzdar blast and ordered relevant authorities to provide a detailed report on the incident.
The attack on journalists comes on the occasion of Press Freedom Day, highlighting the risks faced by media professionals worldwide. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) noted that journalism in Pakistan is under severe threat, with journalists often becoming targets amid political tensions. The IFJ’s 22nd annual South Asia Press Freedom Report revealed that numerous journalists have been issued legal notices, arrested, and charged with serious offenses like sedition and terrorism, indicating a concerning trend of press suppression.
